How To: Make Up For A Bad Valentine's Day

So you underestimated the importance of Valentine’s Day this year and failed to hit the proper heart-shaped mark. The wrath of your lady might be due to an obviously last-minute gift (we know you didn’t exactly slave over that gift card and box of conversation heart candies), your having forgotten the pesky holiday altogether, or any of a slew of other possible misdemeanors. Now you’re in the doghouse and cursing yourself for failing to properly worship at the altar of fat baby cherubs and overpriced flower bouquets.

Fear not! There’s still an opportunity to make up for a bad Valentine's Day. Follow these easy steps and you’ll be well on your way to getting back in the good graces of your girlfriend and grabbing yourself a piece of that extra-lovin’ pie that always gets served after a successful romantic holiday.

Acknowledge your mistake
You’re already on the right track with wanting to make things right with your girlfriend, but this isn’t the time to justify your good intentions with the old “you’re making a big deal about nothing” excuse. That attitude will spoil the plan and your girl will be able to detect the distinct odor of self-righteous douchebaggery from a mile away.

You might not understand the fuss over Valentine’s Day. You might even have a girlfriend who says she doesn’t understand the fuss either. But here’s the chocolate-covered catch: She’s allowed to talk about how she dislikes the holiday but still expect you to go the extra mile to celebrate it. Double standard? Maybe, but you guys are usually the ones reaping the benefits from double standards, so suck it up on this one.

Even the most independent women have that secret part of themselves that loves romance. No, we don’t want it every day, but Valentine's Day allows us one opportunity to indulge in these otherwise cheesy rituals, and we need your help to do it.

Once you’ve successfully fessed up to yourself, it’s time to fess up to your girlfriend. Your best bet is to start with an apology. You feel bad enough to want to make things right, so an apology should flow easily and sincerely and should endear her to your Valentine’s Day redux idea.

Don't try to redo Valentine's Day
This is crucial to getting forgiveness. Your girlfriend probably would have happily accepted most generic Valentine’s Day gifts on the actual day, but a heart-shaped box of chocolates that you bought at half-price at the drugstore the day after isn’t going to cut it now. It’s lame and will only remind her of your initial screwup. Your mission now is to totally knock her socks off with a well thought-out and unique surprise.

Is there a posh restaurant she’s been dying to go to? You're more likely to get a reservation on a Sunday evening anyway, and it will make an otherwise ordinary night special.

Has it been a while since the two of you spent some time alone? Plan a weekend getaway at a cute bed and breakfast or quiet beach resort.

Low on cash? It’s all about the personal touches in your plan, not how much cash you drop.

Can’t afford a fancy dinner out? Try making up for a bad Valentine's Day by cooking her an elegant meal at your place.

Not able to swing a mini-vacation at the moment? Think up some activity outside of your routine you’d both enjoy, like taking a day trip to a vineyard or going paint-balling.

Have a backup make-up plan
You have to prepare yourself for rejection when it comes to your make-up plan. She wants the compensation from you but she might be too stubborn to forgive and forget your original offense, so you have to be ready with a plan B. It’s all about being accommodating now.
If she refuses any of your initial ideas, try a backup plan that doesn’t require her participation at all.

Have a surprise lunch from her favorite restaurant delivered to her at work with a handwritten note from you. Schedule a massage for her and have the spa deliver the news to confirm it to her. The element of surprise coupled with thoughtfulness that proves you’re thinking only about her happiness should be enough to melt even the iciest of shoulders.

Valentine’s Day may be a little corny, but at its core it celebrates love and gives you the opportunity to show your girlfriend just how much you appreciate her. To make up for a bad Valentine's Day, all you need is a solid recovery plan and she'll be swooning. Just don’t forget it again next year -- then you’re on your own.